This is a review of a duo of Clarins self-tanning samples – Self Tanning Instant Gel and Delectable Self Tanning Mousse. If you want to read my review from a few days ago on Clarins cleansing products, you can read that here.

As I mentioned on my previous post Clarins are really good at offering product samples, both online and at their counters, and it’s a great way of testing out their skincare before shelling out your hard-earned cash on a full size bottle.

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is a milky coloured gel with a very light texture and very little fragrance. As this is only a small sample of the product I have been using it on my face (although it is suitable for the face or the body), and it gives a good to dark tan. I wouldn’t say that the tan is instant as the name of the product suggests, but it only takes an hour or so to start developing. I like to apply Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel before I go to bed and wake up with a healthy tan! The only downside of this self-tanning product is that it doesn’t contain a SPF, so if you want to wear it on your face during the day be sure to apply a moisturiser with SPF first to avoid sun damage.

Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse is more like a thick fluffy cream than a mousse, but it has the feint biscuit-y smell characteristic of a lot of self tan products. As I only have a small sample I have been using it on my face (although it is suitable for both the face and body) and have found it a bit rich for my combination skin, but it would be luxuriously moisturising for the body and it contains SPF15 to prevent skin from sun damage. It gives a light to medium tan and would need a few applications if you wanted to build up a deeper tan. The full size product comes in a round tub and would look rather special on a shelf in the bathroom.

Out of these two Clarins self tanning products I definitely prefer the Self Tanning Instant Gel over the Delectable Self Tanning Mousse, and I am planning to buy a full sized tube of the gel as I love it.

I would suggest that if you are looking for a luxurious self tan for the body or you want a pale to medium tan you choose Delectable Self Tanning Mousse, but if you would prefer something that gives more of a darker colour then go for the Self Tanning Instant Gel. In the past I have also used Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning which is a nice light lotion but doesn’t give as much colour as I would like, but this is a good alternative for pale skins that want to build up a gentle tan gradually.

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is priced at £18 for a 100ml tube. Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse is priced at £22 for a 100ml tub. Both products are available from the Clarins website.

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